Chapter 127 - Chapter 126: The Information Broker's Window
The fifth day of the second week of the second month of water.
Mika had come to the Adventurer's Guild to report that his commissioned request had been completed.
He was led to the usual reception room.
And when the report was finished, Yunressa handed Mika a request form.
"What is this?"
"A new commissioned request. I just received it a moment ago."
"Again!?"
Mika slumped, his shoulders dropping in dejection.
A new commissioned request had arrived this month.
That was fine, but as soon as he finished that one, another commissioned request arrived.
In fact, he had already handled two commissioned requests this month.
This was the third one.
"They said they wanted to ask the 'Dispeller' again. It seems the rumor has really taken hold."
"Please spare me..."
Yunressa gave a bitter smile at Mika's drooping head.
"And there is one more thing to contact you about. This isn't confirmed yet, though."
"Haa... What is it?"
"I think you'll be promoted to C-rank soon. It's a bit early, but congratulations, Mika-kun."
Mika blinked his eyes.
"...C-rank?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
"Why would I talk about anyone other than Mika-kun here? It's obviously you."
Yunressa said with an exasperated look.
"Haaaa!? C-rank!? Me!?"
His voice involuntarily grew loud.
"Isn't that something to be so surprised about?"
"I am surprised! Because it hasn't even been a year since I became D-rank!?"
"Ah... now that you mention it, maybe so. If you say it's fast, then it is fast."
Yunressa thought for a moment.
"I heard that going from D-rank to C-rank is incredibly difficult! Why is this happening!?"
"Why? Well, I can only say it's because that's how the system works."
The Guild's primary standard for judging an adventurer's promotion is points.
Each request is assigned points based on its content, and these are added to the information of the adventurer who completed it.
Promotions are decided based on the cumulative total of these points.
However, if a request fails, that is also recorded in the information and used as material for the promotion judgment.
The more failures there are, the further away the promotion becomes due to point deductions.
Moreover, it seems that failing a request causes a loss of trust in the Guild, and sometimes results in point deductions greater than the points added for successful completion.
"Mika-kun, have there been any uncompleted requests?"
"There haven't been any..."
That's right.
Mika had no uncompleted requests.
So, fundamentally, there were no elements that would result in point deductions.
He had been involved in some commotion within the Guild facilities, but since the cause couldn't be blamed on Mika, this also wouldn't result in a deduction.
Such conduct also affects promotion.
"Besides, you've handled so many commissioned requests. Of course you'll get promoted."
"...Is that so?"
And apparently, the biggest point factor was the commissioned requests.
An adventurer's rank does not represent their strength.
It strictly represents their level of contribution to the Guild.
"Think of a C-rank level request with the same content. A normal request or a commissioned request. Which do you think gives more points?"
"Ah... well, obviously the commissioned request."
Unless an adventurer is highly trusted, commissioned requests simply don't come in.
The Guild takes a hefty fee, and if a commissioned request is completed properly, it means they have fully met the trust of the client.
For these reasons, even for requests of the same content, commissioned requests seem to give several times the points of normal requests.
"In your case, rather than being surprised that you're being promoted to C-rank, you should be surprised first that you're getting this many commissioned requests while still D-rank. It's impossible for anyone else to do such a thing."
"Ah, ahahaha..."
Well, he was surprised at first, certainly.
But he had gotten used to it completely.
"Even C-rank adventurers occasionally receive commissioned requests. From acquaintances, or wanting to ask an adventurer they hired before again. Adventurers like that who 'bring commissioned requests to the Guild' are precious. That's why the points are high. To help them rise to B-rank as quickly as possible."
Originally, this multi-point treatment for commissioned requests seems intended to encourage the jump from C-rank to B-rank.
The points required to go from C-rank to B-rank are that large.
If Mika, who is D-rank, does that...?
"Well, I guess promotion happens then..."
"Well, yes. That's how the system works."
He was surprised, but it was a reason he could understand once explained.
"Mika-kun has other judgment materials too. In terms of plus and minus, I think the points are probably more on the plus side for those too."
"Other materials...?"
What was that?
"Still, considering your age, there is a possibility you might be judged as 'too early'."
"Yes, that's likely."
C-rank is an adult adventurer.
It is understandable to wonder if it is okay to make a child like this a C-rank.
Although it is about himself, Mika agreed with this opinion.
"But there are several points much larger than that."
"Are there?"
Mika had no idea.
"First, you have completed many requests that other adventurers failed."
When he was first digging through "curse-type" requests, it seemed some of them were requests that someone had failed before.
He hadn't noticed because it wasn't written on the request form, but Mika cleared up those requests that had been failed and left abandoned.
This was very helpful for the Guild.
Also, completing a request that someone else failed means they can be considered more skilled than that person.
Since there are many such cases, it is sufficient grounds to consider him to have considerable skill.
"Besides, you helped resolve the congestion at the Second Branch, didn't you?"
"Well, it hasn't been completely resolved yet, it seems."
Thanks to Mika's proposal for efficiency, the counter at the Second Branch had become quite smooth.
Of course, Chirensta-san had also thought of and implemented things after that.
"The method you came up with, Mika-kun, has been trialed in the First Branch and other branches since last month."
"Eh?"
It seems the counter congestion wasn't just a problem for the Second Branch.
Thinking about it, it was natural.
Another branch in the Royal Capital shouldn't be strange to be just as congested.
"There were several branches troubled by counter congestion, and they seem to be introducing it there first. If the results are good, I think eventually all branches will adopt a unified method."
Yunressa spoke with a smile, but it felt like the responsibility had become heavy.
(N-No, this is already outside my scope of responsibility...)
For the Second Branch, Mika had proposed and had it executed, so if the results were bad, he intended to offer alternatives.
But he didn't know about the other branches.
That was already a matter out of his hands.
"It's a bit rare to be evaluated for something like this, but this is also a splendid contribution to the Guild. It becomes material to improve your impression, right?"
Conduct becomes judgment material.
Naturally, these things also become judgment material.
It's not material that actively pushes you to C-rank, but it is material that affirms you are fine at C-rank.
"Chirensta-san said he was going to push hard for you, so I think good news will be delivered soon."
"No, wait, there's no need to rush. Please tell Chirensta-san not to overdo it..."
Mika was not troubled at all at D-rank.
For now, there was absolutely no problem with his current treatment.
"I'll pass the message along, but I think it's probably useless, you know?"
Apparently, Chirensta was rising rapidly in evaluation at the Adventurer's Guild headquarters.
"It seems the huge contribution to resolving the congestion at the Second Branch [here] worked. He produced results within just one or two months of taking office, right? The upper management [ue] actually wanted to move him to headquarters work with this year's personnel changes."
But it seems he was rejected because the new efficiency proposal he was currently working on hadn't shown results yet.
He couldn't give up halfway.
Mika had withdrawn quickly, but Chirensta seemed to have continued working on improving various tasks.
"It seems they've told headquarters that 'it was just Mika-kun's idea,' but he definitely possesses the know-how. Maybe he could be moved to headquarters work even from the middle of this year."
He never expected that such a thing would lead to such a rapid promotion talk.
Mostly, this was only possible because of Chirensta's track record of having worked seriously and steadily for many years.
"So, Chirensta-san is super enthusiastic. He says, 'I must repay Mika-kun's kindness.'"
Chirensta-san, please forget that kindness.
And actually, that isn't kindness.
It's a misunderstanding.
Mika had just wanted the branch he used often to be as comfortable as possible.
It wasn't for the Guild, nor for the adventurers, nor especially for Chirensta.
He had just said, "Do it more efficiently for my sake!"
(It's good that they are happy, but everyone is making a big deal out of it...)
He felt twice as tired as when he had come to the Guild.
With heavy steps, he left the Guild.
From behind the counter, a nervous-looking man was watching such Mika.
And for just a split second, his face twisted with hatred, but no one noticed...
Mika left the Guild and walked down the Southeast Main Street.
(What should I do next? I'll just have lunch somewhere casually... Should I stop by Yaroibarov's place?)
Recently, he had been visiting Yaroibarov's inn quite often.
The main purpose was Kistil.
To check if she was overworking and to ask about her mother's condition.
But it seemed he didn't need to worry about that anymore.
(Well, whatever, first food... Hmm?)
Mika slipped into a side alley and immediately started running.
Turning through several alleys and entering a narrow path, he used "Low Gravity" to lighten his weight and kicked off the walls on both sides alternately, climbing the buildings tan-tan-tan-tan-tan.
There, a man appeared.
"Damn it! Again! Where did you disappear to!"
A scruffy-bearded knight looked around frantically.
Mika watched that scene from atop the building, poking his head out.
(That old man again. He's getting annoying... Geez, is he a stalker?)
Recently, Mika had been followed by this old man.
He was probably watching the Guild, planning to make contact when Mika came out.
Or rather, he had spoken to him once.
But Mika didn't know any knights, and more importantly, the first thing that came to mind were the knights from the Chimera battle.
Since Mika's magic had been perfectly observed by them, he judged that getting involved would be troublesome... so he ran away.
Since then, he had been running around constantly.
If they were Kingdom Army personnel, there was a possibility they would take action through the Academy.
He had thought that, but nothing had come from the Academy.
Especially no summons.
Then, was it an action based on that old man's personal judgment, not as the army?
However, he was getting tired of running around.
"Hmm..."
Looking around frantically and looking down at the old man running somewhere, Mika pondered.
Mika finished his meal at a random shop and returned to the Adventurer's Guild.
They wouldn't think Mika would return to the Guild after leaving it.
Mika looked around frantically for the person he was looking for.
"Are you looking for someone?"
"Wah!?"
He was suddenly called from behind, and his voice involuntarily grew loud.
Turning around, Gaeras stood with a surprised face.
He probably didn't think Mika would be so surprised.
Gaeras made an apologetic face.
"Sorry. I didn't think you'd be so startled..."
"Nice!"
"Huh?"
Mika firmly gave Gaeras a thumbs-up.
The person he was looking for had come to him.
"I wanted to meet Gaeras-san."
"Me?"
Mika told Gaeras that he had been followed by a knight recently.
"So, who is the top person of the Fifth Knights Order? Do you know?"
"The top person of the Fifth Knights Order? Do you mean the top of the Knights Order? Or the person in the organization above the Knights Order?"
The organization above the Knights Order?
(Ah, that possibility exists too. I didn't think that far.)
Mika assumed, for now, that the scruffy-bearded knight following him was a member of the Fifth Knights Order.
He vaguely recognized him, and the knights who had sealed the forest back then were from the Fifth Knights Order.
Of course, there was a possibility that multiple Knights Orders were involved, but for now, he decided the clue was the Fifth Knights Order.
"Do you know the top of the Knights Order?"
"Well, yes, I do know."
Gaeras looked somewhat troubled.
Information brokers do not distribute information for free.
But he might be thinking that since he is such a child, and Kaerya and Salomrassa seem to be getting along well with him...
"Sorry, I don't understand that style or transaction method, so I'll ask directly. Is it about money? How much?"
Paying money for information was not a special thing to Mika's sensibilities.
If the fee matched the information, he had no objection to paying.
But when Mika asked that, Gaeras looked even more troubled.
And then, he let out a sigh.
"I see... I heard about it, but this..."
Yes, he was agreeing with himself.
Mika tilted his head, looking bewildered.
"Well. The fee is, treat me to a meal next time. I've become eager to have a long talk with you, young master."
Saying that, he grinned.
"Oh, don't worry, I won't eat like Kaerya. One set meal is enough."
"Even the daily special set meal?"
When Mika asked that, Gaeras widened his eyes.
And then he started laughing "Ku-ku-ku..."
"The daily special set meal. That's fine. It's a nostalgic taste."
"You haven't eaten it recently?"
"Yes, fortunately, I haven't had to eat it for the past few years."
Ninetiana had said the daily special set meal was for half-portion or when you failed a request.
Recently, it seemed he had been doing without any major failures.
"Just kidding. Let's go eat normally. Is a shop Salomrassa-san taught me okay?"
"Oh, the usual shop. Of course, that's fine."
Gaeras said that, and then told him information about the Fifth Knights Order.
"The Commander is Ozendorwa. They say he is the third son of the House of Earl Solnitax. His swordsmanship is top-notch. He seems to be one of the best users in the Kingdom."
As expected of a Knights Order Commander.
He seems to have considerable swordsmanship.
"He hits walls often."
"Huh?"
What kind of information is that?
"This isn't a rumor... is it? It seems he actually does that. It seems the walls of the Commander's room have many holes from hitting them. They seem to be plugging them with boards."
How short-tempered is he...?
When Mika gave an exasperated look, Gaeras also gave a bitter smile.
He commands ten thousand knights, and his main duty is maintaining public order in the Royal Capital.
And there is one strange rumor.
"It is said that he gathers knights who are outliers in the Kingdom, or troublemakers treated as such by other Knights Orders."
"...What is that?"
"Well, even I, unfortunately, don't know the reason..."
A short-tempered eccentric from a noble family with top-notch swordsmanship?
Just hearing the story, he seems like a person with strong quirks.
Or rather, I don't want to get involved with such a guy.
But...
(If the old man following me is acting on his own, will reporting him to his workplace boss stop him?)
A knight who maintains public order in the Royal Capital is causing trouble in the Royal Capital.
And if the Knights Order as a whole has ordered the Commander to contact Mika, then he cannot be eliminated unless stopped from above.
Because it is useless to say anything to the people on the front lines who are just acting on orders.
Mika was also told the location of the Fifth Knights Order's station.
"But, what do you intend to do by asking about the station, young master?"
"Yeah, shall we raid it?"
Hearing Mika's reply, Gaeras gave a bitter smile.
"I'll stop you. I have stopped you."
"Ahahaha."
"If you're going to raid, Kaerya would be useful to bring along."
"Oh, that sounds good."
They joked like that.
After that, Gaeras told him various other things.
"Hee... The location of the Information Broker Guild is secret?"
"When various information comes together, some of it is..."
It seems there is dangerous information.
There is a difference between targeting the gathered information or targeting the elimination of information, but it seems various things go wrong if the location is revealed.
"But then, how do you get information when you want it? I became friends with Gaeras-san, but how do people who aren't like that buy information?"
"For that, there are windows all over the city."
Apparently, there are window staff for the Information Broker Guild all over the city.
"Is there a window somewhere?"
"No, no, that's not it."
Gaeras gave a bitter smile.
"Most of them are in back alleys. Have you seen people with nowhere to stay?"
"Well, they are everywhere."
Sometimes you see people sitting on the ground or lying down in back alleys.
They are the so-called homeless people.
"They are mixed in with those kinds of people. The windows."
"Eh!?"
There were such things?
He had seen them countless times before, but he hadn't noticed at all.
"I'll give you a mark for when you need it, but don't stare too hard, okay?"
Saying that, Gaeras told Mika the mark for the Information Broker's window.
It seems windows are mixed in everywhere, but if you just want to buy information normally, knowing this is enough.
Apparently, several empty sake bottles are lined up in a specific shape against a wall where someone is lying down in a back alley.
This is the mark.
(...If empty sake bottles are lined up, I'd only think a drunkard passed out and fell asleep...)
There were also marks with a few sticks and a lump of dirty cloth placed against a wall.
Those things are just trash... he couldn't help but squint.
No one would think such things were marks.
"Well, if you can avoid getting involved with this, that's the best."
That might be true.
Also, he was told of one shop where he absolutely must not go near.
It was a tavern in the outskirts of District 4 that Mika had passed by several times.
He had memories of passing it during his exploration of the Royal Capital, but he didn't remember it clearly.
He didn't think it was a shop with particularly unique features.
"What is this place? Isn't it a normal tavern?"
But Gaeras put a finger to his mouth and remained silent.
"You must absolutely not approach it. Do not get involved. Do not get involved with those who are involved either."
That was all he told him.
And so, he returned to the dormitory quietly that day.
"Hmm, I'm curious."
On the way home, Mika muttered to himself.
Isn't it human nature that if you are told not to go, you want to go?
"I've passed by it several times, but it seemed perfectly normal."
Could they be selling dangerous drugs inside?
But Gaeras put a finger to his mouth and just remained silent.
(......Selling silence?)
That suddenly came to mind.
They aren't selling drugs.
If they were selling silence.
(A business of silencing mouths? That is...)
Assassin Guild?
Mika shivered at his own imagination.
"N-No way. Ah, ah, ahahaha..."
Trying to laugh off his absurd imagination, only a dry laugh came out.
(It might be out of kindness, but don't teach me this!)
Mika decided in his heart that the next time he went for a meal, he would complain to Gaeras.